Here are 8 free online leadership courses hosted by top universities
The great debate in leadership studies is whether leadership is a natural or learned skill. While the question will likely never be settled, taking leadership courses can still prove to be effective career boosters. These types of courses can help you judge your leadership effectiveness, learn the newest management skills and techniques, and receive feedback from peer leaders.
But leveling up your leadership skills does not come cheap. For example, a top-ranked executive MBA can cost over $250k, and even less intensive executive leadership programs can cost several thousands of dollars.
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That said, leadership training has a decent return on investment (ROI). According to a Training Industry study by ROI expert Paul Leone, first-time managers who complete a leadership development program offered a 415% annualized ROI, meaning that their respective company made $4.15 for every $1 spent on the skills training.
The study also found that the sooner leaders participated in training, the more value added to an organization’s bottom line.
So, if leadership training interests you, but you want to start out with something more affordable, Fortune has compiled 10 free leadership courses from top-ranked universities, sorted alphabetically—all of which can be a great place to start.
10 free online leadership courses offered by top universities
| University | Course name | Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | Ethical Decision-Making: Cultural and Environmental Impact | 3–5 hours for 9 weeks |
| Harvard University | Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles | 2–3 hours for 4 weeks |
| Indiana University | Developing Your Personal Leadership Style | 2–3 hours for 4 weeks |
| MIT | Practical Leadership | 6 lectures, 5 assignments |
| Northwestern University | High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation | 14 hours |
| Stanford University | Organizational Analysis | 8 hours for 3 weeks |
| University of California–Irvine | Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution | 5 hours |
| University of Maryland | Agile Leadership Principles and Practices | 2–3 hours for 4 weeks |
| University of Washington | Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches | 15 hours |
| University of Wisconsin | Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today’s Workspaces | 2–5 hours for 4 weeks |
| 10 free online leadership courses offered by top universities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | ||
| Ethical Decision-Making: Cultural and Environmental Impact | ||
| 3–5 hours for 9 weeks | ||
| Harvard University | ||
| Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles | ||
| 2–3 hours for 4 weeks | ||
| Indiana University | ||
| Developing Your Personal Leadership Style | ||
| 2–3 hours for 4 weeks | ||
| MIT | ||
| Practical Leadership | ||
| 6 lectures, 5 assignments | ||
| Northwestern University | ||
| High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation | ||
| 14 hours | ||
| Stanford University | ||
| Organizational Analysis | ||
| 8 hours for 3 weeks | ||
| University of California–Irvine | ||
| Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution | ||
| 5 hours | ||
| University of Maryland | ||
| Agile Leadership Principles and Practices | ||
| 2–3 hours for 4 weeks | ||
| University of Washington | ||
| Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches | ||
| 15 hours | ||
| University of Wisconsin | ||
| Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today’s Workspaces | ||
| 2–5 hours for 4 weeks | ||
Georgetown University
Ethical Decision-Making: Cultural and Environmental Impact
- Commitment/Length: 3–5 hours for 9 weeks
- Format: Self-paced
One of the pillars of learning effective leadership is understanding the ethics behind important decision making. In Ethical Decision-Making: Cultural and Environmental Impact hosted by Georgetown University, participants learn about the ethical concerns facing international corporations today. This intro-level course investigates manipulative marketing and teaches students how to assess restrictions that should be put in place. John Kline, a Georgetown professor of international business diplomacy, teaches the course, which takes about 9 weeks to complete at three-to-five hours per week. While the course itself is free, there is an optional $179 upgrade to receive a shareable certificate upon completion, lifelong access to course materials, and grade assignments & exams.
Harvard University
Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
- Commitment/Length: 2–3 hours for 4 weeks
- Format: Self-paced
In this intro-level course offered by Harvard and hosted through edX, participants learn leadership strategies in a changing world. Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles is taught by Ronald Heifetz, founder of the Center for Public Leadership and a senior lecturer in public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, a world-renowned leadership and public policy school. Course topics include understanding authority, identifying stakeholder perspectives, and approaching conflict. While the course itself is free, there is an optional $209 upgrade to receive a shareable certificate upon completion, lifelong access to course materials, and grade assignments and exams.
Indiana University
Developing Your Personal Leadership Style
- Commitment/Length: 2–3 hours for 4 weeks
- Format: Self-paced
While academics have prescribed several styles or classifications in which a variety of leaders fall, everyone still has distinct leadership traits that make them unique. Developing Your Personal Leadership Style allows participants to focus on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and values. Taught by three Indiana University business school professors, the course also focuses on communication and people management skills. Instructors will introduce students to tools that will help them evaluate their own leadership style. Course materials are free to view, but $199 is required for lifelong access and shareable certificate.
MIT
Practical Leadership
- Commitment/Length: 6 lectures, 5 assignments
- Format: Self-paced
“Leadership is the ability to influence a group of people towards a goal,” according to the Practical Leadership course syllabus. In this course hosted by MIT’s Sloan School of Management, students learn about their own leadership capabilities through coaching and feedback from other students. Course materials include readings, role plays, experiential exercises, and reflections through journaling. The course is self-guided and covers topics including leadership frameworks, communication, situational leadership, influencing others, and decision making.
Northwestern University
High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation
- Commitment/Length: 14 hours
- Format: Self-paced
Northwestern University’s free online course High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation hosted via Coursera helps participants learn more about their leadership style through self-assessments. This course is part of the school’s Organizational Leadership Specialization, which also includes courses in leadership communication, social influence, and leadership through marketing and design. Reading and viewing the course content is free through auditing, but for those who want to gain the certificate, payment is necessary.
Stanford University
Organizational Analysis
- Commitment/Length: 8 hours for 3 weeks (25 hours total)
- Format: Self-paced
Stanford University helps participants learn multiple theories of organizational behavior and change through its Organizational Analysis course. It includes case studies for organizations like school systems, governments, and tech firms. Students will learn more about the challenges that organizations face and how to predict actions that will put these groups back on a better path to success. While course materials are free to view, to receive the certificate, individuals must pay $79.
University of Maryland
Agile Leadership Principles and Practices
- Commitment/Length: 2–3 hours for 4 weeks
- Format: Self-paced
No workplace can function without cross functional communication. That’s what the University of Maryland emphasizes in its course, Agile Leadership Principles and Practices. It teaches individuals that today’s modern leader focuses on empowering and motivating its team—which is ultimately the key to enhanced productivity. Those who complete the course learn 10 professional development units recognized by the Project Management Institute. Access to course materials are free, but for a shareable certificate, individuals must pay $249.
University of California–Irvine
Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Commitment/Length: 5 hours
- Format: Self-paced
Intercultural communication is becoming even more important to master in today’s global economy. The University of California–Irvine’s course International Communication and Conflict Resolution course helps participants learn more about stereotyping, generalizing, and communications as it relates to global conflicts. Students learn how to understand cultural differences and analyze intercultural interactions. The course takes about five hours to complete and is part of the school’s Conflict Management Specialization, which includes two other courses and a capstone project. While free for 7 days, the course costs $49 to continue learning and to earn a shareable certificate.
University of Washington
Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches
- Commitment/Length: 15 hours
- Format: Self-paced
The University of Washington offers a free online course Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches to help professionals learn how to prepare and deliver effective speeches. This beginner-level course addresses storytelling skills, appropriate tone, and speech delivery. Students will record speeches and both give and receive feedback on fellow classmates’ presentations. Hosted through Coursera, the course is free to audit, but requires $49 for the deliverable certificate.
University of Wisconsin
Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today’s Workspaces
- Commitment/Length: 2–5 hours for 4 weeks
- Format: Self-paced
At the University of Wisconsin, listening is believed to be a paramount skill for all business leaders. Its course, Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today’s Workspaces, teaches individuals basic and advanced listening practices as well as how to adapt skills to a remote environment. Four levels of listening—attentive, responsive, empathic and generative—are covered. Payment of $209 is required for unlimited access to course materials, but access is free for those seeking to learn via audit.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I learn leadership skills?
Luckily, there is an abundance of organizations—including universities and Fortune 500 companies—that offer leadership training programs. For those that want a little more structured training than the programs listed above, enrolling in an executive MBA can also be a great path.
What is the best leadership qualification?
While there is no perfect recipe for the best type of leader, being an effective communicator, decision-maker, and problem-solver are key skills. Moreover, those who are humble, mission-driven, and are efficient are other qualities of any great leader.
Are leadership certificates worth it?
Leadership certificates can be worth it if you are looking to gain or spruce up your leadership skills and are looking to take your career to the next level. It is important to consider what type of program is worth it, meaning you should weigh if the time and money will lead you to your next career step.
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
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